Al Franken

May 30, 2014

The Capitol Note: Republicans head to Rochester to endorse governor, U.S. Senate candidates

Among U.S. Senate candidates, Sen. Julianne Ortman, R-Chanhassen, looks like the favorite to gain the party nod.

May 23, 2014

The Capitol Note: U.S. Senate hopeful McFadden doesn’t vote in primary elections

Mike McFadden, who hopes to challenge sitting Democrat Al Franken, hasn't cast a ballot in a primary for the last 20 years. Other GOP candidates for the seat, including Rep. Jim Abeler, Sen. Julianne Ortman and Chris Dahlberg have been involved in the process.

May 22, 2014

The Capitol Note: Kuisle joins Johnson in race for governor

Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, a GOP gubernatorial hopeful, announced Wednesday that he's taken on former Rep. Bill Kuisle as his lieutenant governor pick.

May 8, 2014

The Capitol Note: Campaign ads on statewide races have begun

Former Republican House Rep. Marty Seifert, who is still competing against a field of GOP contenders to take on Gov. Mark Dayton, will start running ads this week. Dayton Campaign Manager Katharine Tinucci said it's not time yet for the governor to run ads.

Apr 30, 2014

The Capitol Note: Medical marijuana proposal continues forward, fate unclear

A medical marijuana proposal is moving to another committee in a continued sprint toward an uncertain future.

Apr 28, 2014

The Capitol Note: Medical marijuana proposal advances in Senate, future uncertain

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted 7-3, across party lines, to move the languishing proposal forward. It has so far passed one committee in the House. Sen. Scott Dibble, the measure's chief Senate sponsor, called the proposal a "responsible bill."

Apr 22, 2014

The Capitol Note: Lawmakers return to wrap up tax, spending bills before bonding

Though legislators have already passed $443 million in tax cuts, they're still wrangling over the differences between two bills that would provide roughly $100 million in additional tax relief. The House has passed $323 in new spending, which must be meshed with a $210 million bill from the Senate.

Apr 18, 2014

The Capitol Note: GOP won’t budge on bonding limit

Hann says the idea is "off the table, frankly," and insists his caucus will stick to the deal.

Apr 14, 2014

The Capitol Note: Dayton and Franken face cloudy approval ratings

1.) Both parties will hold their statewide conventions this weekend, but only one has decisions to make that could alter the top of the ticket, MPR reports. Gov. Mark Dayton ...

Apr 7, 2014

The Capitol Note: Lawmakers set to announce a deal on minimum wage hike

Lawmakers are expected to announce a deal on Monday raising Minnesota's minimum wage to $9.50 an hour with inflationary increases thereafter. Negotiations between the Senate -- which has been dragging its feet on the issue -- and the House, have been a major political division this session between the Democrats who control the Legislature.

Apr 3, 2014

The Capitol Note: Dayton wants a larger bonding bill

1.) Both parties will hold their statewide conventions this weekend, but only one has decisions to make that could alter the top of the ticket, MPR reports. Gov. Mark Dayton ...

Apr 2, 2014

The Capitol Note: House bonding bill supports higher ed, short on Capitol

Rep. Alice Hausman, DFL-St. Paul, proposed $850 million in capital investment projects that include $370 million for higher ed, investments in public safety and infrastructure and roughly $150 million for local projects.